TAGAYTAY CITY (PIA) — Around 1,000 multi-stakeholders gathered in Tagaytay City on Tuesday as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 4-A and Green Convergence formally opened the 4th Philippine Environment Summit.
With the theme “Caring for Earth: Scaling Up Solutions to the Climate Emergency,” the summit aims to celebrate the Philippine environmental movement and serves as a call for each Filipino to take personal responsibility for the country’s response to the climate emergency.
Promoting the target of Climate Neutrality by 2050 and laying out recommendations on food safety and having a sustainable economy are among the agenda of the environmental summit.
In a video message, Vice President Sara Z. Duterte lauded the DENR and Green Convergence, along with a coalition of environmental networks and organizations for their support of the government’s whole-of-nation approach to reduce climate change vulnerability.
Duterte then urged different sectors in the country to become voices of change in the country to mitigate the risks brought about by the rising sea levels, changes in air temperature, and frequency of climate disasters.
“By showcasing projects and programs that directly or indirectly address climate change, we provide resources and tools for others to find inspiration and encourage every sector of society to make climate action a priority,” the Vice President said.
DENR 4-A Regional Executive Director Nilo Tamoria underscored the importance of spearheading the summit to strengthen the collaboration and involvement of different sectors in addressing the climate emergency.
Tamoria then highlighted the accomplishments of DENR 4-A in preserving nature and wildlife throughout the region by actively monitoring protected lands and implementing environmental laws and regulations.
The regional executive director appealed for everyone’s participation in environmental causes to ensure that the government’s efforts won’t go to waste.
“While the department moves to sustain, develop, and improve programs for the environment, we also rely on the continued support and commitment of our stakeholders. I know that some of our participants today belong to the youth. After this three-day activity, I challenge you to make use of what you have learned, apply it in your daily lives, and be our environmental champions. We hope that when you go back to your own communities, you will serve as our multipliers,” Tamoria added.
Systems-lens response vs climate emergency
DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations – Luzon and Visayas Atty. Juan Miguel Cuna delivered the summit’s keynote speech on behalf of DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga.
Cuna said that confronting the climate emergency should be under a ‘systems-lens’ approach to ensure a comprehensive response to hazards being felt throughout the world.
Usec. Cuna then quoted President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. saying “…[T]he preservation of the environment is preservation of life,” and added that the investment towards prevention and preparedness for environmental hazards must continue.
He also laid out several approaches to be implemented by the DENR during the Marcos Jr. administration such as the establishment of National Risk Registry, crafting nature-based solutions for climate action, facilitating disaster resiliency efforts for businesses, unity with the CSO community, and investment in education and capacity building for the labor force to involve them in the preservation of the environment.
The DENR also commits to involve the youth and the private sector in policy decisions in combating climate change, as the department believes that all the plans for the economy will be forgone if the environment continues to be at risk.
Members of environmental groups, non-government organizations, academe, and the media then had the chance to participate in a more in-depth discussion with sessions and exhibits focusing on programs and topics about sustainable development like renewable energy, organic agriculture, safe food manufacturing, native trees reforestation, climate change adaptation, ecological solid waste management, and ecotourism among others.
